Ribes divaricatum

coastal black gooseberry

Habit: this gooseberry grows upright with arching, branches and several thick thorns at leaf nodes. The broad leaves are lobed with toothed margins and hairy undersides. The small inflorescence (cluster) of 3-5 hanging, bell shaped flowers, are not as showy as others in this genus. They have greenish to purple sepals, surrounding a small ring of white or reddish petals with stamens protruding well beyond the petals. Fruit is a shiny black and tasty berry. Blooms from mid to late spring.

Ecology: found along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia through California, growing at low elevations on wet areas, moist open woods, canyons, and coastal bluffs.

Growing Conditions: full sun to partial shade or dappled light in moist to wet soil. Tolerates sand and seasonal flooding.

Provides food, nesting sites and thorny cover for birds.

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